I’ve started a new series of work called Hidden & Revealed. It emerged out of some of the last paintings I made for my show in April in conjunction with the shadow work I’m doing that Debbie Ford teaches. So far I’m really happy with it, however, I seem to have so many ideas popping into my head at the same time I don’t quite know what to do and often end up sitting there staring at blank panels doing nothing.

Hidden & Revealed, encaustic & mixed media on panel, 15.5 x 23.75″

I think part of the reluctance to dive in is that I’m working much bigger now and I have this problem being stingy and not wanting to waste expensive materials. Previously, if I made something that I thought sucked, it was not much of a loss.

If you have never heard of Debbie Ford and have no idea what this shadow is that I refer to, here’s a little blurb I pulled off Amazon summarizing the concept: We know the shadow by many names: alter ego, lower self, the dark twin, repressed self, id. Carl Jung once said that the shadow “is the person you would rather not be.” But even if you choose to hide your dark side, it will still cast a shadow, according to author Debbie Ford. Rather than reject the seemingly undesirable parts of ourselves, Ford offers advice on how to confront our shadows. Only by owning every aspect of yourself can you achieve harmony and “let your own light shine,” she explains. “The purpose of doing shadow work, is to become whole. To end our suffering. To stop hiding ourselves from ourselves. Once we do this we can stop hiding ourselves from the rest of the world.”

Hidden & Revealed III, encaustic & mixed media on panel, 24 x 24″

So I’m heading down to my studio now and it is my intention to actually use some paint today. Fingers crossed!